VAZ-2115: replacing rear struts with your own hands

On a VAZ-2115 car, the rear struts are replaced in case of mechanical damage to the unit or when the service life has been significantly exceeded. The shock absorbers must be replaced in pairs. If you install one new one and leave the second one alone, this will affect the ride. Even if one spring is working, it needs to be replaced - this is a prerequisite. The springs are changed in the same way.

troubleshooting

To identify damage to shock absorber struts and their elements, you need to perform the following steps:

Pay attention to the smoothness of the ride when driving, especially on uneven roads.
Take a closer look to see if the body is skewed on the rear side.
Look at the coils of the springs to see if there are any traces of impact on them. If so, the springs will need to be replaced. After all, if they break, the shock absorber will also not be able to work normally.
Press down on the left and right sides of the body, then release sharply. The body should swing a maximum of three times. If more, then the rack has become unusable and needs to be replaced.
If there are no signs of damage, carefully inspect the condition of the anthers. There should be no cracks or cuts on them. Otherwise, you will still have to remove the struts and replace the anthers.

Try to promptly replace all suspension components that have become unusable. After all, the slightest malfunction will lead to the car starting to pull to the side, and discomfort will be felt when driving over bumps.

What is the part for?

The depreciation system of a car poses a number of important tasks.

Smoothing out bumps on the road.
Preventing some fragile suspension parts from failing due to constant vibration.
Ensuring comfort for the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

Without shock absorbers, it would be impossible to drive long distances, since all the people in the car would constantly suffer from strong shaking and sharp impacts.

What tools are needed for repair?

When working, you will need the following set of tools and materials:

Spring tightening device.
Pliers.
Heads for “13”, “17”, “19”, as well as ring wrenches with the same dimensions.
Hammer.
Ratchet driver.
A device for unscrewing the nut from the shock absorber rod.

Penetrating lubricant WD-40 is a must; you can’t do without it, since the spring mounts are located in places where there is constantly high humidity. In addition, dirt and dust penetrate there, so the threads become dirty and the nuts are difficult to unscrew. Therefore, clean all elements in advance and treat them with penetrating lubricant.

How to replace the rear shock absorbers of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands - step-by-step instructions

First of all, you need to remove everything unnecessary from the trunk. We dismantle the plastic casings and everything that may interfere.
Next, remove the cup plug, under which there is a nut securing the strut rod.
Using a special wrench that needs to be used to keep the rod from turning, and a carbon socket wrench we unscrew, or rather “tear off” the rod securing nut.

The next step is to remove the wheels, to do this we “tear off” the wheel nuts, then install the jack and hang the rear of the car

Attention! Working on a jack is dangerous. therefore, install stops or blocks under the car that will securely hold the car and prevent an accident

We dismantle the wheels. Before proceeding with further work, I recommend treating all threaded connections that need to be unscrewed with WD-40, this will speed up the process.
We begin to “free” the rack. Using a “19” wrench, unscrew the fastening bolt that secures the rack to the beam.

We completely unscrew the “torn off” nut attaching to the rod at the beginning, after which we can safely remove the strut along with the spring.

It should be noted that the stand does not always come out with the support, for example, as in my case. Now let's start disassembling the rack.
We remove the spring and check the old shock absorber “for ourselves” to make sure that it is really faulty.
Next, take a new shock absorber and bleed it. Not many people know that pumping shock absorbers is MANDATORY! Some people mistakenly believe that this is not necessary; as a result, the rack “dies” immediately after replacement or simply lasts several times less than the one that was pumped. How to pump up a rack. Everyone has their own answer to this question; some advise turning it over so that the oil spreads, while others, on the contrary, prohibit doing this. In general, there are enough manuals and video instructions on the Internet that will tell you in detail and show you how to bleed shock absorbers before installation.
We assemble the strut and do not forget about the bump stop and shock absorber boot.

Let's start installing the shock absorber. Here you will have to tinker. The fact is that sometimes, as in my case, the stand is not so easy to install in place. If difficulties arise, you can jack up the beam with a jack. After the rod has come out, install a sealing gasket in the interior and secure the rod with a fastening nut.

Tighten all bolts and nuts. We put the wheels back and lower the car from the jacks. We repeat all the above steps in relation to the other rack. Replacing the rear shock absorber of a VAZ 2114 on the other side follows the same principle.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this work. Everything, as they say, can be done if you really want to, if you have the desire and the appropriate tool

That’s all for me, thank you for your attention and see you again at vaz-remont.ru

Preparing for repairs

When replacing the rear struts of a VAZ-2115 with your own hands, you need to follow a certain sequence. Only in this case the repair will take place as quickly as possible. Rear struts are much easier to change than front struts - there are no steering ends, and there is no need to adjust the wheel camber and toe angles.

Vehicle preparation:

Place the car on a viewing hole or overpass.
Install wheel chocks under the front wheels.
Loosen the bolts securing both rear wheels.
Lift one side, completely unscrew the bolts, and place a reliable support under the body. Then do the same on the second side.
As a result, the suspension should be completely unloaded. You cannot work on a loaded suspension - it is dangerous.

You cannot place supports under the beam - in this case the suspension will be loaded. If you only need to replace the silent block of the VAZ-2115 rear pillar, then you only need to unscrew the lower fastening. There is no need to completely remove the assembly.

How to install a rear pillar on a VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109, 2108.

Rack assembly process:

We pump up the rack.
We put on a duster.
We put the bump stop on the rack rod.
We place a washer with a cushion on the rod.
We put on a spring with a pillow attached to it.
We put the stand in place by screwing the top first and then the bottom.

The process of installing a rear shock absorber is not complicated, but everything has its own subtleties.

First of all, we pump the racks before installation. Usually the instructions for bleeding come with the strut, but if there is none, just squeeze the strut rod 5 times until the end and remove it. and do not turn it over after pumping (after pumping, the stand should always be in a vertical position).

One more important detail. If the washers that secure the strut rod with the body are installed incorrectly, we will get a creaking of the rear strut of the VAZ 2114. In order to prevent creaking in the strut, it is necessary to install the lower washer with the cup down, and the upper one, on the contrary, with the cup up. In this case, there will be no creaking in the rear of the car.

The spacer must be between the car body and the spring. To install it without problems, tape it to the spring with molar tape. You need to use masking tape; in extreme cases, you can use electrical tape. When using simple tape, it can make extraneous sounds on bumps.

Removing the rack

After preparation, make sure that all threaded connections are treated with lubricant, the car is installed securely and will not fall during repairs. The step-by-step repair looks like this:

Remove the shield located in the luggage compartment that protects the upper mount of the shock absorber strut.
Remove the pad and support washer. All these steps do not need to be done if you only need to replace the silent blocks on the VAZ-2115.
Unscrew the nut that secures the shock absorber to the rear beam.
When removing the strut there is no need to compress the spring.
Lower the shock absorber and remove the lower cushion and support washer.
Slightly press the shock absorber rod down.
Remove the spring and protective cover, cover, bump stop.
Remove the shock absorber completely.
If there is no gasket on the spring, it should be at the top of the cup.

When replacing the rear struts on a VAZ-2115, it is imperative to install new gaskets, anthers and bump stops. Otherwise, the shock absorbers will not be able to work properly.

Replacement

Having decided on the choice of new racks, you can begin the procedure for replacing them. We recommend that you study training videos on replacing rear struts on a VAZ 2114, which allow you to carry out repairs competently and effectively even without experience in such a matter.

Don't try to repair old racks and look on the Internet for some advice on this matter. Even if something is found, resuscitation of failed suspension components will not give the desired effect. Moreover, you risk making the problem even worse.

Remember - these elements cannot be repaired. The only correct solution is replacement. This procedure is performed as follows:

Place the car on some flat surface. It could just be the floor in your garage;
Raise the rear axle and be sure to put some kind of stoppers under the wheels so that the car does not suddenly jump off the jack;
Remove those wheels where you plan to change the struts. The order of replacement does not play a big role, that is, you can start with either the left rear or the right rear wheel;
The protection is removed from the top mount;
Armed with a 13 mm wrench, slightly loosen your grip on the rod nut;
Loosen the other nuts as well. This time the ones that hold the body;
Take regular pliers and straighten the cotter pins. This will allow you to remove the old stand without any problems;
There is also a nut on the steering rod, which should be removed without serious effort. Here you will need a 19 mm key;
Remove the brake hose by unscrewing the nuts securing it;
When unscrewing the steering knuckle elements, carefully remove your old strut through the arch;
When installing a new element, simply proceed in the reverse order. There shouldn't be any problems when assembling the unit.

At this point, the procedure for replacing the rear struts can be considered complete. Now check the car in action, make sure that all previous problems are gone and the car behaves as you expected. Obviously, figuring out how to change the rear struts on a VAZ 2114 is not at all difficult. That’s why car owners often resolve such issues in their own garage. This fact does not force you to do everything yourself, since not everyone is given the opportunity to be an experienced auto mechanic. Don't be afraid to contact auto repair shops.

Do I need to change the spring?

A spring is a very durable element, but with prolonged use it can become unusable. Cracks appear, elasticity and length decrease. Diagnosing the condition is very simple:

Visually inspect the springs for cracks and deformations. If they occur, then the springs must be replaced.
Apply a load of 325 kg*s (or 3188 N). On export models of the car, the length will be 182 mm. For those produced for the domestic market, the length should be more than 201 mm. If less, then the spring must be replaced.

The springs that were installed on the VAZ-2115 are marked in the form of the letters A and B. The former are capable of working with higher loads. Be sure to install new springs with the same class.

How to remove rear shock absorbers on VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109, 2108.

Begin dismantling the rear shock absorber by removing the plastic plugs located in the trunk.

Having removed the plastic, we will see the nuts screwed onto the shock absorber rod. We unscrew them with a special key. If it is not there, then we use a 17 socket wrench and a 6 wrench or an adjustable wrench.

Having unscrewed the top nut, remove the washer and cushion that stood between the nut and the body.

Before unscrewing the lower shock absorber mounting bolt, lift the wheel on a jack. The racks can be removed very easily if the bolts securing the rack to the beam can be unscrewed without any problems.

What to do if the shock absorber bolt is soured.

Removing the struts can be complicated by souring of the bolts with silent blocks. If you encounter such a problem, then you will not be able to remove the shock absorber without a grinder.

Just carefully file off the head of the bolt and knock it out with a hammer.

Assembly of the unit

After purchasing all the new components, you only have to do a few simple steps:

Compress the spring using a puller. It must be installed in such a way as to engage at least three turns.
Install rubber pads on the spring; they can be secured with tape or tape.
Place the bump stop on the rod and the boot on top.
Install the rod into the hole in the body and tighten the nut.
Secure the lower part of the shock absorber to the rear beam by aligning the holes and inserting the bolt. Tighten the nut.

Check the tightness of all threaded connections. After a run of 50-100 km, it is recommended to re-tighten all the nuts. When replacing the rear struts of a VAZ-2115, use nuts with plastic bushings - they are much more reliable.

Sequence of work when replacing shock absorbers

Before dismantling the rear shock absorber of the VAZ-2115, it is necessary to remove the plastic plug from the rear strut cup and unscrew the nut securing the rod. To do this, a special key is used, which simultaneously fixes the rod and unscrews the nut.

After removing the nut and washer with a rubber cushion, jack up the car and remove the rear wheel to access the lower part of the mount

Using a 19mm open end wrench we secure the nut, and with a 19mm socket we unscrew the bolt, lubricating it with the previously penetrating lubricant, unscrewing and removing the bolt from the hole, and remove the rear shock absorber from its seating location. To do this, it is better to use a flat screwdriver, carefully prying the lower part. The strut body is moved to the side, moves down and the shock absorber is removed.

We take out the remaining rubber gasket inside the glass with the same screwdriver. We disassemble the old shock absorber, removing the spring, rubber bushing, cup, casing, bump stop, and then install these parts in the reverse order on the new strut.

When installing the spring in place, the last coil should take a position in the lower cup of the rear shock absorber such that the end of the spring does not extend beyond the boundaries of the cup. And after installing the rack, it should be oriented towards the wheel. Before installing the shock absorber, it is recommended to immediately put on the upper elastic band and, so that it does not change its location, attach it to the coils of the spring using insulating tape.

Upon completion of complete assembly, the rear strut is installed in the reverse order, the upper nut and the lower bolt securing it are tightened.

There is a special offer on our website. You can get a free consultation with our corporate lawyer by simply asking your own question in the form below.

conclusions

Replacing the rear shock absorber struts on a VAZ-2114 is quite easy. It is worth noting that with the growth of counterfeits in the automotive market, the choice of parts should be approached quite carefully, especially checking the presence of original packaging, holograms, certificates, and quality marks.

It is worth remembering that a low-quality spare part will not last as long as the original one, even if it is an analogue. The racks manufactured by Kayaba are noted for their special quality among motorists.

It’s interesting how you removed the rear strut, and in the end you post a photo of the front strut with the support bearing. Oh yes Kulibins.

Signs of breakdown

Therefore, the car owner’s task is to monitor the condition of the suspension and front struts in particular, identify signs of breakdown in time and replace the units.

If your racks are really reaching the end of their service life, you can determine this by the following signs:

The car behaves unstably on the road;
When driving over obstacles, the car sways strongly;
When entering turns and braking, the car is unstable;
The braking distance increases noticeably;
There are traces of oil on the body;
There is a noise or knocking noise from the front of the car.

Some, even with such obvious signs of malfunction, continue to ignore the car’s need to replace the front struts. If you do not take any action, the consequences may be as follows:

The car will bounce on every bump;
Controllability in corners will decrease significantly, the car will pull to the side and turn around;
Tires will lose their quality and wear out in the shortest possible time;
Soon you will have to go to the wheel alignment.

If the replacement of the front struts on the VAZ 2114 is carried out in a timely manner, these problems and huge financial costs can be avoided.

Before you get started, we recommend watching a video on how to make the replacement. This is a useful lesson that will provide the necessary knowledge and concepts about the location of certain components of the unit.

If you decide to do everything yourself, then follow the specified algorithm. This will allow the replacement to be completed efficiently and without unnecessary manipulation.

Place the car on a flat area, preferably with a hole. Loosen the bolts on the front wheels. Be sure to turn on the handbrake and secure the wheels with chocks. You need to think about safety first.
Use a jack to lift the front of the car, then remove the wheel. Please note, when changing the front suspension elements, it is better to do this on two wheels at once, even if one of the struts is in satisfactory condition.
Lift the hood and look for the bolts that secure the struts to the body. Look for them on the left and right, near the windshield.
There is a plastic cap on the glass that needs to be removed. To do this, use a simple flathead screwdriver. The plastic element is pryed off and thus easily removed.
Unscrew the mounting nuts holding the rack on top of the body.
A brake hose with a bracket is attached to the rack. This element is also removable.
Using a wire brush, be sure to clean all the fastening elements of the struts to the body and chassis of the car.
Now take the pliers in your hands and use them to unscrew the nut. The one that holds the tie rod end joint to the A-pillar.
A puller removes the hinge from the shock-absorbing strut arm. If this is your first time changing them and no one has removed them before, be sure to tighten the nut a few turns, which will protect the threads.
Near the place where the fist is attached to the stand, there are nuts that should be removed. Just first mark where the adjusting bolts are located. This way you won’t have to go to a wheel alignment after replacing suspension elements.
Using a hammer, knock out the bolts that hold the element and the fist. The nodes release, allowing you to pull your fist down and reach the worn post.
Place the new part, then proceed to reassemble the unit in the reverse order. During the procedure, do not forget to check other components for defects, malfunctions, oil leaks, and so on.

When the procedure is completed, put on the wheels, but do not tighten the bolts tightly. By lowering the car from the jack, you can fully fix the bolts

This is an important rule that, unfortunately, many people forget.

Let's summarize

As you can see, the procedure is not complicated, you just need to know what and how to do. For a beginner, the event will take up to 4 hours, but if you have the skills, you can complete it in 1.4-2 hours. It is advisable to check the results of work performed for the first time using the wheel alignment method or go to a car service center and use a special stand. The price of the service is affordable, but you will be convinced of your competence as a repairman. There is no definite answer to how regularly rear struts require replacement - it all depends on the quality of spare parts, intensity and care of operation, and driving style.

Source

Useful tips.

Before direct installation, we carefully inspect the purchased parts and treat them with kerosene. Broken and unusable elements are not needed for repairs;
A number of professionals believe that the final tightening of bolts and nuts does not require the participation of a jack;
The struts can be checked using the wheel alignment method. This method increases the service life and increases the comfort of the trip;
There are special stands where you can check the result of the replacement. The price of the service is small. At the same time, one’s own skill and skill is tested;
Don't worry if the support bearing doesn't come out with the strut when you remove it.

Popular question: how often do parts need to be replaced? There is no clear answer. Vehicle operating conditions, quality of spare parts and personal skills are key success factors. If a car owner likes to “pick up” potholes and pits, then the time for repairs will inevitably approach. It is also obvious that if there are “symptoms” of a malfunction (dull knocks, fluid leakage or spring deformation), then there is no need to hesitate.

The process is simple. You just need to know clearly what and when to do. A competent selection of tools and spare parts is half the battle, and step-by-step instructions that allow you to carry out repairs yourself will help you complete what you started. Take care of yourself and your car, because health and life are the most valuable things we have.